A recent study emerged from Penn State University about multispecies biofilms that provide Listeria monocytogenes with a strategy against sanitizers.1 This study brings much-needed attention to a persistent problem in the food safety community. Here, I provide several comments on this topic. (see link above)
What is Biofilm? Understanding Structure and Function
The same general food safety guidelines apply to hot dogs as to all perishable products — “Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.”
When you leave the grocery store with hot dogs, head straight home and refrigerate or freeze them immediately. If there is no product date, hot dogs can be safely stored in the unopened package for 2 weeks in the refrigerator; once opened, only 1 week. For maximum quality, freeze hot dogs no longer than 1 or 2 months. And, of course, never leave hot dogs at room temperature for more than 2 hours and no more than 1 hour when the temperature goes above 90°F.
Although hot dogs are fully cooked, those at increased risk of foodborne illness should reheat hot dogs and luncheon meat until steaming hot before eating, due to the threat of listeriosis.
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that cause listeriosis, can be found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, and in milk, soil and leaf vegetables. The bacteria can grow slowly at refrigerator temperatures. Listeria monocytogenes can be in ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented or dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry, soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, chills, headache, backache, an upset stomach, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Persons who have ingested the bacteria may take up to three weeks to become ill. At-risk persons (pregnant women and newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems) may later develop more serious illnesses. Listeria monocytogenes can also cause miscarriages.
Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Cereals and bakery products
Product brand name
Nanosupps
Model names or references
caramel / vanilla / pistachio / chocolate
Product identification
Batch Date
LOT/CT319-23 / LOT/V321-23 / LOT/P320-23 / LOT/CH354-23 Minimum durability date between 05/15/2024 and 06/20/2024
Start/end date of marketing
From 01/24/2024 to 02/22/2024
Storage temperature
Product to be stored at room temperature
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
See List of points of sale in PDF format
List of points of sale
Distributors_concerned.pdf
Brand : Arte delle Specialità
Name : Ground arabica coffee “Arte delle Specialità”
Reason for reporting : Recall due to chemical risk
Publication date : 23 February 2024
Posted in Aspergillus Toxin, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Ochratoxin A
Recalled dairy products and products made with recalled dairy products sold under the brand names:
Retailer names where product was sold unbranded as taco kits, wraps, and meals:
More information about recalled products, including descriptions, sizes, and UPCs or “best by” dates are included in the table of recalled products below. Additional information is also available in the recall notices from the companies.
A food poisoning outbreak at Carnegie Mellon University Stack’d restaurant has sickened “numerous students,” according to news reports. Stack’d is the university’s on-campus restaurant that is located in the basement of Morewood Gardens Hall. Allegheny County’s Health Department in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is investigating.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Poisoning
A British family of four including two children have been rushed to hospital in Morocco after suffering ‘severe food poisoning’ having eaten at a local restaurant.
Moroccan newspaper, Bayane Marrakech, reported the victims, two British tourists with their two children aged 10 and 12, were taken to Razi Hospital in Marrakesh.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness
Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
MARITCHU
Model names or references
Basquaise Andouille
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3275750015018 24135 Use-by date 02/29/2024
3275750015018 24463 Use-by date 04/11/2024
3275750015018 244528 Use-by date 05/01/2024
3275750015186 24135 Use-by date 02/29/2024
327575015186 24463 Use-by date 04/11/2024
3275750015186 24528 Use-by date 05/01/2024
3275750015018 23937 Use-by date 02/07/2024
3275750015186 23937 Use-by date 02/07/2024
3275750015018 23937 Use-by date 02/29/2024
Packaging
Under a vacuum
Start/end date of marketing
From 04/12/2023 to 20/02/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
ES 10.13438/SS CE
Further information
Basquaise Andouille
Geographical sales area
Regions: New Aquitaine
Distributors
Carrefour Cestas – Carrefour- Intermarché Bayonne/ Cauneille/Hasparren/ Hendaye/Capbreton/Bidart/St Pé – Center Leclerc Bayonne/Urrugne/Anglet – Carrefour Ametzondo hypermarket – Promocash Anglet/ Dax- Spar Ascain
List of points of sale
Traceability_Andouille_whole_and_half.pdf
Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria monocytogenes
|
Brand |
Product Name |
UPC |
Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rico | Cheese Enchiladas with Red 4/pkg, | 65366006001 | 14.5 oz |
| Rico | Cheese Enchiladas with Green 4/pkg, | 65366006002 | 14.5 oz |
| Rico | Chicken Enchilada with Rice & Beans/Green |
65366006015 | 14 oz |
| Rico | Chicken Enchilada with Mole, Rice & Beans, |
65366006016 | 14 oz |
Rico Brand of Salt Lake City, Utah is voluntary recalling Ready-to-eat Enchiladas made with Queso Fresco containing cheese as part of the voluntary recall from Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Rico Enchiladas were distributed in northern Utah Supermarkets (Smith’s, Harmons, Macey’s The Store, Fresh Markets).
Recalled products include the products below. They are packaged in a in a Deep Meal tray – Plant Fiber – Film 800.
With the following lot numbers and expiration dates: Lot. 0234 02/13/24, Lot. 0264 02/16/24, Lot. 0304 02/20/24, Lot. 0334 02/23/24. These codes can be found attached to the main label on a white label.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these products.
Customers who have purchased this product are advised to dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Additionally, customers can contact Rico Brand at 801-433-9923 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. MST, or send an email to jorge@ricobrand.com for further assistance.
Jorge Fierro
CEO
Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes
Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Others
Product brand name
U
Model names or references
BLACK PUDDING WITH APPLES U X3
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3256220764278 E3547218 Use-by date 02/28/2024
Start/end date of marketing
From 02/10/2024 to 02/22/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR 72.331.001 CE
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
U Stores
Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria monocytogenes
FoodWorld 